Join us for a unique nature education experience as we explore the trails of the Nature Preserve, only accessible through guided tours! With Lanny Kaufer leading the way, we'll identify native plants, observe birds, and examine animal tracks within our local ecology. Lanny's mission is to help people connect with the natural world, starting with plants. As the author of "Medicinal Herbs of California: A Field Guide to Common Healing Plants," he has been leading herb walks, nature hikes, and workshops in Southern California since 1976. Don't miss this chance to learn from a seasoned expert and deepen your understanding of nature. Grab your tickets now and join us for an insightful journey through our local ecosystem!

Perched above the Gardens, our Vista Point is the perfect locale for nighttime sky observation. As dusk falls, guests will be invited to enjoy the view while astronomy enthusiasts Russell and Laura  offer a short background on astronomy and the basics of night sky observing. They will describe the celestial objects as guests view them through an array of telescopes. 

Depending on the time of year, attendees will observe deep-sky objects, globular clusters, galactic star clusters, nebulae, double stars, and other celestial wonders. Major planets will also be highligted when they are visible.

Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve invites our Ojai and Central Coast communities to celebrate the culmination of our 6th annual Art in Nature Residency. Join us for a Free Daytime Exhibition Opening as we showcase the work of artists from across Ventura County. Enjoy this community event generously funded by a grant from the Ojai Arts Commission.

Our residency program provides creative professionals a unique opportunity to develop new work within the natural beauty of Ojai’s "secret garden." This event is a celebration of that process, a deep engagement with the environment and a look at the results of their creative exploration.

FREE DAYTIME OPENING

1-6 PM

Our 6th Art in Nature Fundraiser celebrates eight resident artists from Ojai and Ventura who have spent the 2025-26 season embedded within the landscape of Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve. Their work does more than reflect the beauty of this place; it serves as a bridge between the human experience and the intricate ties to our environment.

When you contribute by buying a ticket, you are doing more than supporting a single program; you are sustaining the entire ecosystem that makes an artist's work possible.  The Art in Nature Residency is at the center of our mission to EXPLORE the relationship between us and nature. Proceeds from each ticket ensure that the artists who come to create here have a functional environment: cleared paths, maintained facilities, and the human support necessary to bring their visions to life. By funding the Conservation Endowment Fund 501c3 non-profit, steward of Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve, you are directly investing in the collective effort that makes the residency possible and supporting our local artists in their career development.

Evening Opening Fundraiser

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Can’t Attend the Event? Support with a Tax-Deductible Donation:

Join Cassandra C. Jones, Artist and Arts Chair of our Residency Program at Taft, for a unique look at the property from a creative perspective. Jones will guide guests through the South African and Australian Gardens to the art studios to meet the artists-in-residence and see what they are working on. She will offer an oral history of Taft, stories and education about botanicals in bloom, and insight into how the space inspires regional artists. This walking tour would benefit anyone interested in contemporary art, unusual plants, and local history.

Join us for a unique nature education experience as we explore the trails of the Nature Preserve, only accessible through guided tours! With Lanny Kaufer leading the way, we'll identify native plants, observe birds, and examine animal tracks within our local ecology. Lanny's mission is to help people connect with the natural world, starting with plants. As the author of "Medicinal Herbs of California: A Field Guide to Common Healing Plants," he has been leading herb walks, nature hikes, and workshops in Southern California since 1976. Don't miss this chance to learn from a seasoned expert and deepen your understanding of nature. Grab your tickets now and join us for an insightful journey through our local ecosystem!

Spend time in a grounding, meditative watercolor experience guided by Katrina Espiritu, inviting presence and reconnection through the playful flow of watercolor. The session begins with a guided walking meditation and transitions into a reflective painting practice beneath the canopy of oak trees in the garden.

Katrina’s mission is to create space where nature and creativity invite us back into stillness, connection, and a deeper sense of being. The experience will close with a tea ceremony offering space to reflect and be present in community. All levels welcome. No previous experience is necessary. Light snacks will be provided.

Watercolor, brushes, paper, and palette will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own watercolor set.

The importance of our relationship to land, plants, and place is rooted in ancestral Indigenous Knowledge all over the world. Experience an integrative mindfulness practice that honors this ancestral wisdom. You will be given directions, in the form of an invitation, to assist you in slowing down, relaxing, and observing with all of your senses. It is a kind of nervous system reset that has the potential to remind us of the Interconnection of All Things and our relationship to the Earth.  You may begin to notice things in a way that you may never have noticed them before. Experience the holistic health benefits of Forest Bathing such as enhanced immunity, lowered blood pressure, lowered cortisol concentrations, increased focus, enhanced creativity, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system to support your body in engaging its own restorative processes. You are the medicine. Tu eres la medicina. The event ends with a sharing of tea and some healthy snacks.

Join Cassandra C. Jones, Artist and Arts Chair of our Residency Program at Taft, for a unique look at the property from a creative perspective. Jones will guide guests through the South African and Australian Gardens to the art studios to meet the artists-in-residence and see what they are working on. She will offer an oral history of Taft, stories and education about botanicals in bloom, and insight into how the space inspires regional artists. This walking tour would benefit anyone interested in contemporary art, unusual plants, and local history.

Lead by local avian biologist, Peter Larramendy. Participants will learn the basics of birding, such as common birds of the Ojai Valley, diagnostic field marks, important habitat types of the Ojai Valley and those around Taft Gardens, and much more! Peter has over ten years of professional experience working in avian studies around southern California. Whether you're new to birding or a seasoned enthusiast, our event will deepen your connection to nature and enhance your understanding of bird conservation. Join us for an informative and enjoyable adventure through Taft Gardens as we explore the diverse avian life that calls it home. Don't miss this chance to learn and appreciate the fascinating world of birds! 

This event will take place in the Taft Nature Preserve. 

Lead by local avian biologist, Peter Larramendy. Participants will learn the basics of birding, such as common birds of the Ojai Valley, diagnostic field marks, important habitat types of the Ojai Valley and those around Taft Gardens, and much more! Peter has over ten years of professional experience working in avian studies around southern California. Whether you're new to birding or a seasoned enthusiast, our event will deepen your connection to nature and enhance your understanding of bird conservation. Join us for an informative and enjoyable adventure through Taft Gardens as we explore the diverse avian life that calls it home. Don't miss this chance to learn and appreciate the fascinating world of birds! 

This event will take place in the botanical section of Taft Gardens. 

The importance of our relationship to land, plants, and place is rooted in ancestral Indigenous Knowledge all over the world. Experience an integrative mindfulness practice that honors this ancestral wisdom. You will be given directions, in the form of an invitation, to assist you in slowing down, relaxing, and observing with all of your senses. It is a kind of nervous system reset that has the potential to remind us of the Interconnection of All Things and our relationship to the Earth.  You may begin to notice things in a way that you may never have noticed them before. Experience the holistic health benefits of Forest Bathing such as enhanced immunity, lowered blood pressure, lowered cortisol concentrations, increased focus, enhanced creativity, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system to support your body in engaging its own restorative processes. You are the medicine. Tu eres la medicina. The event ends with a sharing of tea and some healthy snacks.

Join Thomas Davis on an academic geology walk at Taft Gardens where you will discover an ancient story told under your feet. Our geology walk will view and discuss the rocks, faults, and folds of the Taft Gardens Nature Preserve and adjacent Ojai area. You will travel back in time to the Oligocene (16-34 million years ago) and Eocene (~36-38 million years ago) to learn about the origins of our local rock formations, the Sespe Formation and Coldwater Sandstone. The Sespe Formation is characterized as a non-marine deposit of sandstone, conglomerate, and siltstone with a distinctive red color. The Coldwater Sandstone is a shallow-marine deposit formed in beach, estuary, and sub-tidal paleo-environments making it rich in fossils. Learn how these rocks were seismically uplifted and then down-cut from the erosion of Santa Ana Creek to form the narrow valley where we are situated. 

This walk is for anyone who wants to discover the story of the land and no prior geology knowledge is needed. Bring a notebook to take notes if you wish or questions if you have some geology knowledge already. This walk will take place in the Nature Preserve and cover uneven ground. Please bring trekking poles if you wish and be prepared to walk over a mile of hilly terrain.

About the guide: Thomas Davis serves as President and CEO of the Geologic Maps Foundation (geologicmapsfoundation.org). He is a California State registered geologist and author on a number of geologic publications. Davis has worked as a consultant and researcher worldwide, specializing in structural geology, oil & gas exploration, and earthquake hazards. He holds a PhD in Geology from UCSB and previously worked at Davis-Namson consulting geologists and the Atlantic-Richfield Corporation, starting in 1978.

Join Cassandra C. Jones, Artist and Arts Chair at Taft Gardens, along with our current 1-month Artist-in-Residence, Emily Thomas MaHarry, for a unique look at the property from the perspective of two artists. The duo will guide guests through the South African and Australian Gardens to the Protea Art Studio to see what Emily has been working on in her Taft artist residency.

Guests will also hear an oral history of Taft, stories and education about botanicals in bloom, and gain insight into how the space inspires other regional artists.

The tour will also include a visit to the Historic studio to see the work of fellow artists-in-residence, father and son, Hugo and Rodrigo Ormachea.

This 2-hour walking tour is ideal for anyone interested in contemporary art, unusual plants, and local history.

Painting by Emily Thomas MaHarry

The importance of our relationship to land, plants, and place is rooted in ancestral Indigenous Knowledge all over the world. Experience an integrative mindfulness practice that honors this ancestral wisdom. You will be given directions, in the form of an invitation, to assist you in slowing down, relaxing, and observing with all of your senses. It is a kind of nervous system reset that has the potential to remind us of the Interconnection of All Things and our relationship to the Earth.  You may begin to notice things in a way that you may never have noticed them before. Experience the holistic health benefits of Forest Bathing such as enhanced immunity, lowered blood pressure, lowered cortisol concentrations, increased focus, enhanced creativity, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system to support your body in engaging its own restorative processes. You are the medicine. Tu eres la medicina. The event ends with a sharing of tea and some healthy snacks.

"Walkabout" is a term rooted in traditional Australian culture, serving as a journey of self-discovery and a transition into adulthood, often undertaken during intervals between modern societal obligations. This is the essence of what Lanny Kaufer has orchestrated for you in observance of the Equinox. Commencing in the Australian section of Taft Gardens and ascending into the Nature Preserve towards a vista point adorned with a four-directions stone circle, you will embark on a three-hour respite from contemporary existence to embrace nature, bask in the sunlight, and reconnect with the timeless wisdom of our forebears.

Perched above the Gardens, our Vista Point is the perfect locale for nighttime sky observation. As dusk falls, guests will be invited to enjoy the view while astronomy enthusiasts Russell and Laura  offer a short background on astronomy and the basics of night sky observing. They will describe the celestial objects as guests view them through an array of telescopes. 

Depending on the time of year, attendees will observe deep-sky objects, globular clusters, galactic star clusters, nebulae, double stars, and other celestial wonders. Major planets will also be highligted when they are visible.

Perched above the Gardens, our Vista Point is the perfect locale for nighttime sky observation. As dusk falls, guests will be invited to enjoy the view while astronomy enthusiasts Russell and Laura  offer a short background on astronomy and the basics of night sky observing. They will describe the celestial objects as guests view them through an array of telescopes. 

Depending on the time of year, attendees will observe deep-sky objects, globular clusters, galactic star clusters, nebulae, double stars, and other celestial wonders. Major planets will also be highligted when they are visible.

Perched above the Gardens, our Vista Point is the perfect locale for nighttime sky observation. As dusk falls, guests will be invited to enjoy the view while astronomy enthusiasts Russell and Laura  offer a short background on astronomy and the basics of night sky observing. They will describe the celestial objects as guests view them through an array of telescopes. 

Depending on the time of year, attendees will observe deep-sky objects, globular clusters, galactic star clusters, nebulae, double stars, and other celestial wonders. Major planets will also be highligted when they are visible.

Join Cassandra C. Jones, Artist and Arts Chair of our Residency Program at Taft, for a unique look at the property from a creative perspective. Jones will guide guests through the South African and Australian Gardens to the art studios to meet the artists-in-residence and see what they are working on. She will offer an oral history of Taft, stories and education about botanicals in bloom, and insight into how the space inspires regional artists. This walking tour would benefit anyone interested in contemporary art, unusual plants, and local history.

Join us for a unique nature education experience as we explore the trails of the Nature Preserve, only accessible through guided tours! With Lanny Kaufer leading the way, we'll identify native plants, observe birds, and examine animal tracks within our local ecology. Lanny's mission is to help people connect with the natural world, starting with plants. As the author of "Medicinal Herbs of California: A Field Guide to Common Healing Plants," he has been leading herb walks, nature hikes, and workshops in Southern California since 1976. Don't miss this chance to learn from a seasoned expert and deepen your understanding of nature. Grab your tickets now and join us for an insightful journey through our local ecosystem!

Join Cassandra C. Jones, Artist and Arts Chair of our Residency Program at Taft, for a unique look at the property from a creative perspective. Jones will guide guests through the South African and Australian Gardens to the art studios to meet the artists-in-residence and see what they are working on. She will offer an oral history of Taft, stories and education about botanicals in bloom, and insight into how the space inspires regional artists. This walking tour would benefit anyone interested in contemporary art, unusual plants, and local history.

Perched above the Gardens, our Vista Point is the perfect locale for nighttime sky observation. As dusk falls, guests will be invited to enjoy the view while astronomy enthusiasts Russell and Laura  offer a short background on astronomy and the basics of night sky observing. They will describe the celestial objects as guests view them through an array of telescopes. 

Depending on the time of year, attendees will observe deep-sky objects, globular clusters, galactic star clusters, nebulae, double stars, and other celestial wonders. Major planets will also be highligted when they are visible.

Winter is a season for rest and quiet beginnings. In this writing workshop, we invite you to create small seeds of intention for the year ahead, allowing them to rest, root, and grow when the time is right. We will begin with a silent walking meditation to connect with yourself and the garden before moving into writing. Through guided prompts and mindful writing, each person will reflect on what has been cultivated and outgrown in the past year and what they would like to plant and nurture in the coming year ahead.

This workshop will be guided by Katrina Espiritu, who spent years leading goal-setting sessions with executives and designers in the corporate world. With this workshop, she hopes to offer a more creative and meditative writing session, rooted in intention and mindful action.

The experience will close with a tea ceremony offering space to reflect, share, and be present in community. All levels welcome. No previous writing experience necessary. Please bring a journal and something to write with. Light snacks will be provided.

Join Cassandra C. Jones, Artist and Arts Chair of our Residency Program at Taft, for a unique look at the property from a creative perspective. Jones will guide guests through the South African and Australian Gardens to the art studios to meet the artists-in-residence and see what they are working on. She will offer an oral history of Taft, stories and education about botanicals in bloom, and insight into how the space inspires regional artists. This walking tour would benefit anyone interested in contemporary art, unusual plants, and local history.

Perched above the Gardens, our Vista Point is the perfect locale for nighttime sky observation. As dusk falls, guests will be invited to enjoy the view while astronomy enthusiasts Russell and Laura  offer a short background on astronomy and the basics of night sky observing. They will describe the celestial objects as guests view them through an array of telescopes. 

Depending on the time of year, attendees will observe deep-sky objects, globular clusters, galactic star clusters, nebulae, double stars, and other celestial wonders. Major planets will also be highligted when they are visible.

The importance of our relationship to land, plants, and place is rooted in ancestral Indigenous Knowledge all over the world. Experience an integrative mindfulness practice that honors this ancestral wisdom. You will be given directions, in the form of an invitation, to assist you in slowing down, relaxing, and observing with all of your senses. It is a kind of nervous system reset that has the potential to remind us of the Interconnection of All Things and our relationship to the Earth.  You may begin to notice things in a way that you may never have noticed them before. Experience the holistic health benefits of Forest Bathing such as enhanced immunity, lowered blood pressure, lowered cortisol concentrations, increased focus, enhanced creativity, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system to support your body in engaging its own restorative processes. You are the medicine. Tu eres la medicina. The event ends with a sharing of tea and some healthy snacks.

Perched above the Gardens, our Vista Point is the perfect locale for nighttime sky observation. As dusk falls, guests will be invited to enjoy the view while astronomy enthusiasts Russell and Laura  offer a short background on astronomy and the basics of night sky observing. They will describe the celestial objects as guests view them through an array of telescopes. 

Depending on the time of year, attendees will observe deep-sky objects, globular clusters, galactic star clusters, nebulae, double stars, and other celestial wonders. Major planets will also be highligted when they are visible.

Join us for a unique nature education experience as we explore the trails of the Nature Preserve, only accessible through guided tours! With Lanny Kaufer leading the way, we'll identify native plants, observe birds, and examine animal tracks within our local ecology. Lanny's mission is to help people connect with the natural world, starting with plants. As the author of "Medicinal Herbs of California: A Field Guide to Common Healing Plants," he has been leading herb walks, nature hikes, and workshops in Southern California since 1976. Don't miss this chance to learn from a seasoned expert and deepen your understanding of nature. Grab your tickets now and join us for an insightful journey through our local ecosystem!

Join Cassandra C. Jones, Artist and Arts Chair of our Residency Program at Taft, for a unique look at the property from a creative perspective. Jones will guide guests through the South African and Australian Gardens to the art studios to meet the artists-in-residence and see what they are working on. She will offer an oral history of Taft, stories and education about botanicals in bloom, and insight into how the space inspires regional artists. This walking tour would benefit anyone interested in contemporary art, unusual plants, and local history.